Nomsa: An online portrait drawing session

Join Lydia for a 1- hour portrait session with model Nomsa, drawing a profile portrait step by step with a focus on structure, proportion and soft edges. You’ll begin by blocking in the head using simple straight lines and key landmarks before developing the features through light and shadow. The session explores how soft and sharp edges work together to describe form, using gentle tonal transitions to model the face while keeping the likeness strong. You’ll also look at simplifying the hair into broad shapes before refining the plaits and bandana with selective detail, all while making continual comparisons to improve accuracy.

Materials used:

• 6B graphite pencil
• Putty rubber (kneaded eraser)

 High quality images, great lighting and tuition from a professional artist mean this is a great way to hone your skills.

This session mimics the structure of a traditional life drawing class. You will see one or more photographs to draw or paint from. Tutor Lydia Cecil will be doing an online demonstration next to the video and will be giving hints and tips in the live chat.

Once you have registered you will be sent a link to a private web page where you will be able to access the live stream at the date and time of broadcast. You will also have access to the video for 30 days after the session, and will be able to download the photographs used in the session so you can continue to work in your own time.

If you're planning on watching more than one session a month then you will save money with a subscription. If you already have a Raw Umber Subscription then you can access this session from your account.